What is an external relative clause?

Definition

An external relative clause is a relative clause whose head noun phrase is outside the relative clause.

Also known as:

External-headed relative clause

Discussion
	This type of relative clause is a modifier of a separately stated head noun. It does not take the place of the head noun, as does an internal relative clause.

Example (English)
	In the following construction, the head noun phrase every student is outside the relative clause: Every student whom Mary advised

Generic
	An external relative clause is a kind of
	What is a relative clause?

Source
	Keenan 1985 143

Concept module: external relative clause
In overview module: Glossary (Linguistics): E
In modular book: Glossary of linguistic terms, by Eugene E. Loos (general editor), Susan Anderson (editor), Dwight H., Day, Jr. (editor), Paul C. Jordan (editor), and J. Douglas Wingate (editor)
In bookshelf: Linguistics

This page is an extract from the LinguaLinks Library, Version 5.0 published on CD-ROM by SIL International, 2003. [Ordering information.]

Page content last modified: 5 January 2004